The registration office was the smallest of all the buildings that Ray could see.
It was just a dozen meters tall, made of cobblestone and wood. 'Is it just me or the more I get to the academy, the less modern everything seems?'
First, it had been the amulet, then the horse-driven carriage, then the enchanted arch, and now, traditional buildings.
Amy popped up in front of his vision breaking his thoughts, "What's wrong? And don't tell me it's nothing. I can tell these types of things you know?"
Ray placed a firm hand on her shoulder to silence her, "I'm just a little overwhelmed by everything around me. It isn't what I was expecting."
Amy tilted her head and squinted her eyes almost as though assessing the truth behind his words.
She shrugged, "Of course, I understand. This place can be a little scary but at least, you have me."
Amy skipped around him and latched an arm around his.
She pulled him into the building. "But trust me, this part is easy. Very boring but quick."
They entered through the wooden door that served as the entrance and exit. Behind it was a single desk where a rather old woman sat.
Her eyes were behind half-crescent glasses. She slowly looked at Ray then at Amy. "Miss Byrone. How many times have I said that you can't enter this building without first being called?"
Amy pouted, "But this time I have a good reason. This is Ray and he's new."
Beads of sweat ran down Ray's face as she gave him another once over, "Good day, ma'am."
The woman reached under her desk and brought out a small key.
Ray reached out and she placed the bronze key in his fingers. He looked at the cool metal and noticed the number '88' written on it.
"That is your room number. Your luggage alongside your uniform is already in your room waiting for you."
Ray's eyes widened. He had forgotten about his luggage.
A nervous smile broke out on his face, "If you don't mind me asking, how'd you know of my size in clothes or my coming today?"
The woman ignored his question and reached for a folded piece of paper on her table. "Here's a map. It'll help you navigate until you're used to the layout. Goodbye."
Ray opened his mouth but she interrupted him, "Goodbye."
"Come on." Amy pulled Ray out of the office. She wiped a row of sweat off her forehead.
"That was tense." She laughed and latched herself back onto his arm. This time, leading him towards a pair of buildings.
Some students passed by, glancing at them oddly. Not at them, at Ray, and more than a few of them sneered in disgust.
'What was I thinking? Just because of Amy, everyone would magically stop being a jackass?'
Amy hummed a song to herself not even noticing the growing scowl on Ray's face.
They stopped in front of two large buildings just a few meters away from each other with masoned pathways leading to each one.
The one on the right was painted grey with faint blue streaks while the one on the left was the same except with pink instead of blue.
Amy pointed to the one on the right, "That's the boy's accommodation. I've heard it's pretty large."
She unenthusiastically pointed to the one on the left, "And that's the girl's. Not important."
Ray wanted to ask what the reason for the evident negativity was but the scowl on her face told him she wouldn't say.
So instead, he asked something else. "You said you've heard? So we aren't allowed to enter each other's accommodations?"
Amy smiled and her eyes brightened, "You want to visit me?! Well, in truth, you can visit both accommodations but it's not advisable to spend too long there. Some of these people aren't good."
Ray nodded slowly, 'I knew it. Idiots are everywhere.'
"Ames! There you are!" A deep, obviously male voice called out from behind them.
Both he and Amy turned around only to see two people approaching them. One was dark-skinned with odd green eyes while the other was pale white and had crystal blue eyes.
"Roan and Elix." Amy stepped behind Ray and she slightly pushed him forward.
Onyx materialized for the first time, "Getting into a fight? You haven't even spent a full thirty minutes here."
Ray ignored him and glared at the two boys. The two of them walked through Onyx and stopped just short of Ray.
"Who are you?" The dark-skinned one, whom Ray assumed was Roan, asked and Elix nodded.
Amy stepped up, "This is my new friend, Ray. He treats me better than you guys and lets me explore."
Ray raised his hands in mock-surrender, "I have no idea what she's on about. She just attached herself to me the moment she saw you guys "
Amy gasped dramatically and pointed an accusing finger at Ray, "This is the kind of betrayal they talk about."
Roan came closer and stretched out his hand for a shake, "Hi, I'm Roan and that's Elix. Hope Ames here didn't get you in trouble."
Ray took their hands and shook them. Not everyone was actually bad. "Nah, she's just… eccentric."
Another gasp left Amy but they all ignored it.
Elix stepped forward, "So, Ray? We haven't seen you around before. You new?" He asked and Ray nodded. He had no reason to lie or to be secretive about something very obvious.
Onyx scowled at the happy scene and vanished. He was clearly disappointed that a fight hadn't broken out.
Amy butted in, "I wouldn't know if he's new since I apparently just attached myself to him."
Roan rolled his eyes. "So what room are you in?" He asked Ray.
Ray tilted his head slightly, "88. Don't know how to get there though. The map will be of service."
Elix chuckled, "Please, everyone knows that map only helps students in getting lost. We can take you to your room."
For some reason, Ray felt like he could trust them. There didn't seem to be an ulterior motive behind their altruism.